Joanne Williams
Editor

(Photo provided – Barber Rick Hicks [left] received a proclamation from Dimondale for his many years of community support. Presenting the honor was Dimondale Village President Ralph Reznick [right].)

“I have a confession to make.”

In our culture, there are, stereotypically, three types of folks who hear this phrase: therapists, bartenders and barbers.

With more than 35 years in the barber business, recently retired Richard “Rick” Hicks has found this to be true.

“You get into people’s lives,” Hicks said. “You know them…that’s going to be the hardest part,” said Hicks of his farewell to Rick’s Family Barber Shop, right in the heart of Bridge Street in Dimondale.

“It is my window on the world,” he said of the shop, painted red and hosting the familiar barber’s pole.

Another barber will soon occupy the space. That makes Hicks happy.

A sign on the building reads, in part, “Lyle King opened a barber shop in the 1960s. Rick has served Dimondale since 1990.”

Fresh from a family and friends retirement party, Hicks recalls his history in the village.

He had been laid off from a job. He had always “dabbled” in hair, and his sister suggested he go to a barber school. Lansing Barber School was his next stop.

As he pondered the future, he checked out King’s shop in Dimondale, but he could not bring himself to broach the subject.

Instead, later that night, King called him and asked Hicks if he was interested in buying the business. The rest is history, which tends to repeat itself.

Hicks said feeling “tired,” he began seriously thinking about retirement, but “I didn’t want to walk away and leave it empty.”

Enter Cole Davis, who started a barber business in Potterville in 2024. He was looking to expand, and called Hicks, wondering what his plans were.

Davis and stylist Jacob Tamasek have set a July 23 opening date for Dimondale, according to their website for Cole Cutsss Barbershop.

Hicks is still getting used to the “retired” part of his life. “It’s been a long run,” he said. He has seen the business change. His mission was a nice haircut at a low price and fast, 10 to 15 minutes service time. “The business has changed,” Hicks said, with tapers and bald-fades, which he was not interested in offering.

Instead, he recalls a customer who came in, faithfully, every Wednesday for a cut for 30 years.

Hicks’ tools of the trade will still be used, occasionally. He does offer services to a shut-in client. And, he said, he has plenty to do, some of it unplanned.

Away for the July 4 holiday, Hicks and husband Denis Prisk came home to storm damage claiming beloved trees on their property, which has been in Hicks’ family for generations.

A vintage camper will also see more use, Hicks said. 

Cole Davis was born and raised in Potterville and is happy to be contributing to the community. He opened his barber shop in 2024 and six months later, hired another barber. Now, he will have two locations, and he will work part-time at both. He is hoping to add another barber soon.

“It felt good,” said Davis about his decision to open Cole Cutsss Barbershop Dimondale. Find information and appointment scheduling at colecutsss.com.

Davis said he has listened to a lot of folks “who have had a good impact on his life” as he has made his business moves. “I have always looked up to people who have made an impact,” Davis said.

People like Hicks.